Hi, I have a knot meter sensor with the small spinner wheel on it. It is mounted in a thru hull. The boat came with a factory plug for the fitting. I would like to remove the sensor and clean but I am a little reluctant to unscrew it while in the water. I have a Catalina 30. Is it OK to unscrew this while in the water???? How much water actually comes thru the hole while I am fumbling to get the plug screwed in??? Thanks, Paul
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R Phillips
Knot Meter Removal
I have a fitting that is inserted after I remove the Knott Meter. I get about a pint of water that drains into the bilge. Other than that no problem.
I have a fitting that is inserted after I remove the Knott Meter. I get about a pint of water that drains into the bilge. Other than that no problem.
It is OKAY.
Paul: This is no big deal. It is always a little frightening but not that bad. Thing you need before you start: 1 or 2 large rags/towels waterproof faucet grease a friend to assist you The easiest thing to do is have a couple of large rags/towels ready. You really don't need to use the plug. Unscrew the cap on the transducer and immediately place one of the rags over the thru-hull (this will stop the major flow). Have someone clean the transducer. Before you replace it, grease the o-rings. Replace the transducer and tighten the cap. You are now done. Some of these transducers have an arrow to indicate which way they are supppose to turn. If yours is directional be sure to put it in the correct way (otherwise you will need to redo it). Be careful not to over tighten the cap, but it should be snug.
Paul: This is no big deal. It is always a little frightening but not that bad. Thing you need before you start: 1 or 2 large rags/towels waterproof faucet grease a friend to assist you The easiest thing to do is have a couple of large rags/towels ready. You really don't need to use the plug. Unscrew the cap on the transducer and immediately place one of the rags over the thru-hull (this will stop the major flow). Have someone clean the transducer. Before you replace it, grease the o-rings. Replace the transducer and tighten the cap. You are now done. Some of these transducers have an arrow to indicate which way they are supppose to turn. If yours is directional be sure to put it in the correct way (otherwise you will need to redo it). Be careful not to over tighten the cap, but it should be snug.
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Bill O'Donovan
use the plug
I always agree with Steve, but this time I dissent to suggest you use the alternate plug. You don't have to jam it down much, but it will give you more peace of mind while cleaning the through hull. Be sure you do the job in a slip. Should you have a catastrophe the boat can only fill up so much if tied off. Out on the water, it can sink. Having said that, once you've pulled the plug once you'll get over your anxiety. It's like getting married the first time.
I always agree with Steve, but this time I dissent to suggest you use the alternate plug. You don't have to jam it down much, but it will give you more peace of mind while cleaning the through hull. Be sure you do the job in a slip. Should you have a catastrophe the boat can only fill up so much if tied off. Out on the water, it can sink. Having said that, once you've pulled the plug once you'll get over your anxiety. It's like getting married the first time.
I used to do it that way too Bill.....
Bill: I always put in the spare plug (and still do if I do it alone). Just found out that there was a little less anxiety only putting one plug in the thru-hull. Usually only takes a few moments to clean the transducer so never saw the advantage of R/R the plug twice. I suppose that it also depends on the access to the area too. So I would agree, if it makes you feel better then that IS the way you should do it.
Bill: I always put in the spare plug (and still do if I do it alone). Just found out that there was a little less anxiety only putting one plug in the thru-hull. Usually only takes a few moments to clean the transducer so never saw the advantage of R/R the plug twice. I suppose that it also depends on the access to the area too. So I would agree, if it makes you feel better then that IS the way you should do it.
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Don
I too was always nervous doing this but
Last summer after a bottom job on my new (to me) H37.5, I had the speed transducer out and ran to the store for grease to put on it. Of course, when I left I locked the boat. While I was at the store, my marina decided to go ahead and launch the boat. I decided to grab lunch while I was out. I arrived back at the marina just as they pulled the boat back up on the lift. Someone yelled at me asking if I had a leak! After an hour or so the marina had gotten concerned because the bilge pumps were running non-stop. You can imagine the scene and I expected the worst. In reality not much water even came in and the pumps kept up with it. There was a trail of water across the sole but otherwise no damage. I am much more at ease removing and cleaning the wheel after that experience. Plus, I get lots of extra attention from my marina now.
Last summer after a bottom job on my new (to me) H37.5, I had the speed transducer out and ran to the store for grease to put on it. Of course, when I left I locked the boat. While I was at the store, my marina decided to go ahead and launch the boat. I decided to grab lunch while I was out. I arrived back at the marina just as they pulled the boat back up on the lift. Someone yelled at me asking if I had a leak! After an hour or so the marina had gotten concerned because the bilge pumps were running non-stop. You can imagine the scene and I expected the worst. In reality not much water even came in and the pumps kept up with it. There was a trail of water across the sole but otherwise no damage. I am much more at ease removing and cleaning the wheel after that experience. Plus, I get lots of extra attention from my marina now.
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Pete Loewenstein
Use the Plug
Depending on the type of unit you have, there is a possibility that your thru-hull base has a "flap" that is designed to pop into the opening as you remove the transducer plug, thus reducing or eliminating the amount of water that gets into the boat. I've had two different units that work this way, and have found the exercise of pulling the plug very unstressful. In fact, I always pull the transducer and insert the dummy plug when I am not using the boat. This keeps the transducer clean, and helps exercise the "flap" mechanism on a regular basis ... keeping it working properly. In my area (Chesapeake Bay) the transducer's impeller gets clogged with slime over the course of a week, so keeping it out of the water except when using the boat virtually eliminates the need to clean it. Pete S/V "Sh'boom!"
Depending on the type of unit you have, there is a possibility that your thru-hull base has a "flap" that is designed to pop into the opening as you remove the transducer plug, thus reducing or eliminating the amount of water that gets into the boat. I've had two different units that work this way, and have found the exercise of pulling the plug very unstressful. In fact, I always pull the transducer and insert the dummy plug when I am not using the boat. This keeps the transducer clean, and helps exercise the "flap" mechanism on a regular basis ... keeping it working properly. In my area (Chesapeake Bay) the transducer's impeller gets clogged with slime over the course of a week, so keeping it out of the water except when using the boat virtually eliminates the need to clean it. Pete S/V "Sh'boom!"
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Paul
Thanks....
Thanks guys, I get an idea now of what to expect. As several of you realized, I am, or was, just a little nervous about doing this. I have the boat in Charleston and unfortunitely don't get there very often so I'll probably just install the plug in between visits. Thanks again! Paul
Thanks guys, I get an idea now of what to expect. As several of you realized, I am, or was, just a little nervous about doing this. I have the boat in Charleston and unfortunitely don't get there very often so I'll probably just install the plug in between visits. Thanks again! Paul
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Les Blackwell
Something to consider
An experienced owner once told me to have my boat running at hull speed when I pull my knot meter paddle wheel. Because the boat is moving through the water, very little comes in. Of course smooth water helps with this technique. I've done it several times.
An experienced owner once told me to have my boat running at hull speed when I pull my knot meter paddle wheel. Because the boat is moving through the water, very little comes in. Of course smooth water helps with this technique. I've done it several times.
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Mickey McHugh
Been there - Done that - Don't Do it!
I have a Raymarine transducer and keep the plug in while at the slip to keep the paddel clean. Sometimes I forget to put in the sensor before I get underway. Even with the flap, when I first pull the plug while underway I get a quick spurt from the additional pressure, so I would be very careful and not put your face right above it or you might end up with a mouth full of salt water. If I slow the boat down, its not so bad. But its never been a big deal, so go for it.
I have a Raymarine transducer and keep the plug in while at the slip to keep the paddel clean. Sometimes I forget to put in the sensor before I get underway. Even with the flap, when I first pull the plug while underway I get a quick spurt from the additional pressure, so I would be very careful and not put your face right above it or you might end up with a mouth full of salt water. If I slow the boat down, its not so bad. But its never been a big deal, so go for it.
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Chris Hyland
Pull the plug
Les, Your correct, I always do mine underway. I get verylittle water in that way. I have Raymarine gear. Once you pull the unit out, the raymarine system has a rubber flap that come up. Then you insert the service plug and it's tight as a drum. It gives you plenty of time to cleanup the unit. Then reinstall. I never get more than a cup or so of water. I have to admit, the first time is pretty scarry.... Regards, Chris
Les, Your correct, I always do mine underway. I get verylittle water in that way. I have Raymarine gear. Once you pull the unit out, the raymarine system has a rubber flap that come up. Then you insert the service plug and it's tight as a drum. It gives you plenty of time to cleanup the unit. Then reinstall. I never get more than a cup or so of water. I have to admit, the first time is pretty scarry.... Regards, Chris
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Bob Camarena
Minimize?
It seems to me that the more you "pull the plug" the more things wear and the more chance of something going wrong. Therefore I wonder about the advisability of Mickey's practice of replacing the transducer with the plug while at the slip.
It seems to me that the more you "pull the plug" the more things wear and the more chance of something going wrong. Therefore I wonder about the advisability of Mickey's practice of replacing the transducer with the plug while at the slip.
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